Big East officials withdraw from tournament

New York, NY (Sports Network) - The officials who were involved in the controversial finish to Wednesday’s second-round Big East Tournament game between St. John’s and Rutgers have withdrawn from the remainder of the tournament.

“Our officials are a very dedicated and loyal group of professionals who care deeply about the Big East Conference,” commissioner John Marinatto said. “In the best interest of everyone involved - including coaches, student-athletes, game officials and Big East member institutions - the officials who were assigned to the St. John’s-Rutgers game Wednesday have voluntarily withdrawn for the remainder of the 2011 Big East Championship.”

Jim Burr, Tim Higgins and Earl Walton were the three officials on the floor when the end-game situation developed.

St. John’s was leading 65-63 with 4.9 seconds to play when Rutgers attempted a length-of-the-floor inbounds pass from underneath its own basket.

The pass was knocked away and gathered by the Red Storm’s Justin Brownlee, who stepped out of bounds with 1.7 seconds left and threw the ball high in the air to celebrate the win.

However, he was not ruled out of bounds or given a technical foul for tossing the ball as the officials walked off the floor and time ran out.

“With three days of competing remaining, it is our hope that everyone will focus on our outstanding teams and the exciting games ahead,” Marinatto added.

03/10 12:50:18 ET